re palpitations

[Guest guest]

Hi Maggie. I've suffered from occasional palpitations for most of my life, but

now that I'm in my late 40's they've become increasingly persistent, sometimes

lasting for days at a time. They can be quite frightening, especially if they

wake me up at night, which they occasionally do. And they can make me feel quite

odd and sort of, but not really, breathless - more like a strange hollow feeling

in my chest, can't describe it better than that really.I don't get any pain.

I've been checked out, had a 48 hour event monitor which showed flurries of

ectopics. The consultant offered me medication but, knowing my profession said,

" you probably won't want it " , which I didn't. At one time Leonurus worked for me

and occasionally it still will, but what I find much more helpful now is

intermittent use of an Rx of Sarothamnus and Crataegus, which will settle things

down fairly quickly for a week or two. Mine are sometimes precipitated by

coffee, but not always and I've tried long periods of being completely coffee

free (I don't drink much of it anyway - maybe 4 cups per week) and I still get

them. I'm quite sure that underlying it all is hormonal change. My iron levels

also have an input - if my ferritin or Hb get low, the palpitations get worse.

My thyroid status has an influence too - I'm generally underactive, but had an

episode a while ago when I was slightly overactive and of course the

palpitations were slightly worse then. Stress is important and I've found

mindfulness and meditation extremely helpful, especially during those quite

scary night time episodes. I have low blood pressure and sometimes it does seem

to drop particularly low, which makes Sarothamnus particularly appropriate for

me. When my bp is low my palpitations tend to get worse. They're also worse if

my blood sugar drops - so I'm careful to carry low low GI snacks with me and to

eat regularly. The Rx I use is Crataegus 80, Sarothamnus 25 and I take 5mls bid

- tds depending on how bad the palpitations are. I do take other herbs as well

to address the hormonal changes and for adrenal support etc.

Hope this gives you some ideas to explore.

Best wishes

Sue Salmon, Huddersfield